Vehicle checks reveal alarming number of non roadworthy vehicles

Vehicle checks across South Africa have revealed that there are alarming numbers of vehicles on our roads that do not meet the requirements of roadworthiness!

Information revealed on the 22nd of December:

Almost four million vehicles and drivers have been stopped and checked, and more than 1.5 million fines issued for various traffic offences across South Africa since 1 October 2010.

More than 20 000 un-roadworthy vehicles, including several buses and mini-bus taxis, were discontinued from use.

The million-a-month vehicle target as of October 2010, announced by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele as part of South Africa’s “Make Roads Safe” campaign and new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), has been significantly exceeded every month.

Ndebele said: “During this holiday period, road users will encounter visible and proactive traffic law enforcement on major national routes as well as various urban and rural locations.

“Dedicated enforcement operations targeting public transport vehicles such as buses and mini-bus taxis have also been intensified. These include special blitzes at depots and ranks to ensure vehicle and driver fitness even before buses and taxis depart for their destinations.

“We want to repeat that absolutely no mercy will be shown to traffic offenders as we head towards 2011. South Africa’s ‘Make Roads Safe’ campaign is leading up to the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety from 2011 to 2020, with the key aim of drastically reducing road deaths around the world.”

From 1 to 20 December 2010, close to one million vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked and thousands of fines issued for various traffic offences.

More than 1500 drunk drivers were arrested. Other arrests related to stolen vehicles, unlicensed firearms, possession of dagga, overloaded taxis and buses, taxis and buses without the necessary permits as well as excessive speed.

During November 2010, 1 493 574 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 684 739 fines issued and 10 282 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles and drivers (220 226) were stopped in KwaZulu-Natal.

During October 2010, 1 385 521 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked, 408 650 fines issued and 4481 vehicles discontinued from use. The highest number of vehicles and drivers (276 579) were stopped in Gauteng. There were 2256 drunk driving arrests, of which 930 were in the Western Cape.